Twist in Temple Saga

PETALING JAYA: Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar today claimed that the Public Complaints Bureau gave the nod to the Kajang Municipal Council to issue summons and compounds to the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Bangi Lama, Selangor, for excessive noise during prayer sessions.

“The bureau which is under the Prime Minister’s Department was the one which instructed the municipal council to go ahead with the summons. People should stop making unilateral decisions,” he told FMT when contacted.

He said this while commenting on the temple which was issued summons and compounds by the council’s enforcement officers last week for failing to adhere to the council’s advice for the temple to tone down the noise level during prayer sessions, including noise from the bell before prayers are conducted, and amplifiers used to play devotional songs.

The MIC Youth along with the temple management and patrons held a peaceful demonstration following the issuance of the summons and subsequently, the Kajang Municipal Council rescinded the summons and compounds.

Jayakumar said even the Kajang Municipal Council president was unaware that such a summons was issued to the temple.

Meanwhile, Puchong member of parliament and DAP central committee member Gobind Singh Deo said the Selangor government must punish the officer or officers responsible for issuing the summons against the temple to reduce the noise levels and cease religious activities after 6pm.

“This order is simply outrageous. It is clearly against the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat and an attempt to again put Pakatan in a bad light. It is common for temples to conduct prayers between 6pm and 9pm during which time there will also be ringing of bells. This is a fact. It is well known to us and we respect this.

“And there are clear guidelines in place by the state government expressly requiring all officers of local councils to refer any issue or complaints relating to religious affairs to the councils’ full board before any action can be taken,” he said in a statement.

He said despite this, certain officers proceeded to openly defy the order.

“I am of the view that this attitude among officers deliberately ignoring state directives will continue if nothing is done to deter them. The state government must show that it is serious in cases like these and take action against the officers concerned in order to send a correct and strong message to others who dare defy orders, that they too will be dealt with severely.

“If no action is taken, then that will reflect weakness on the part of the state which will then have to take full responsibility for acts of defiance by their officers against their own orders in future. I call upon the menteri besar to ensure that action be taken against officers who defy orders so as to show that the state is serious in making sure that this doesn’t occur again in future and that it is serious in implementing its policies and directives,” added Gobind.

Source: FreeMalaysiaToday